Community Workshops
The Ethical Tightrope: Navigating Challenges in EFT
with Bonnie Lewis, LMFT
Date: Friday, June 28, 2024 | Time: 10am-1 pm Arizona time (MST)
Location: Online OR In-Person at Tempe Public Library
**Speaker will be online only.**
Cost: $45 for AZEFT members | $55 for non-members
** 20% discount offered to group practices of 5 or more who each register for the event; email us for the discount code
Certificate of Attendance: 3 hours
Counts for AzBBHE's ethics CEUs licensure renewal.
Workshop Description:
Utilizing Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with clients presents distinctive challenges, whether working with couples, individuals, or families. In our session, we will explore specific ethical challenges that may arise and discuss effective strategies for navigating these situations using an Ethical Decision-Making Framework. Whether you attended the AZEFT Ethics training last year or are new to employing Ethical Decision Making, this will provide an opportunity for both review and the enhancement of decision-making skills. Additionally, participants will engage with the framework through the analysis of new case studies.
A particularly noteworthy challenge in the application of EFT is determining when and how to refer a client out. While Emotionally Focused Therapy serves as a profound modality forming the foundation of our work with clients, ethical considerations arise when it appears not to be the most suitable approach. This session will delve into the ethical dilemma of identifying the point at which EFT may not align with a client's needs. Participants will learn strategies for exploring personal barriers within themselves and their clients regarding EFT, all while recognizing the possibility that EFT may not universally suit every client. This interactive training aims to empower participants to grant themselves the permission to understand both their own and the model's limitations, all while considering the ethical implications involved.
Approach this session with an openness to embrace your humanity and that of your clients as we collectively engage in this interactive ethics training experience!
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will develop an ethical decision-making framework informed by a systemic lens utilizing various scenarios when practicing EFT.
2. Participants will be able to list and describe the ethical principles for client care, including how those principles apply to our own personal and professional limits and not assuming we will be able to help every type of client with EFT.
3. Participants will develop an ethical transition plan to successfully close out a client when best for client care.
Bonnie Lewis, LMFT, is a Certified EFT Therapist and EFT Supervisor-In-Training. Practicing since 2014, one of Bonnie’s passions is teaching and mentorship. As an approved Supervisor with the AZBBHE and Clinical Director at Therapy with Heart, she enjoys providing supervision to practicing professionals in their journey towards obtaining their license. Bonnie has worked as a teacher’s assistant and is currently an adjunct professor and group supervisor at Fuller Theological Seminary for the Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Program. She facilitates couples workshops like Hold Me Tight and Created for Connection to help couples remove stumbling blocks to vulnerability to then be able to go deeper in their connection, resulting in their relationship being a source of healing. She was the Director of Training for AZEFT Board and is actively involved in the EFT Community. When not working, Bonnie cherishes the time with her husband and two daughters. She values her family, time outdoors, reading, traveling, being active, and connecting with her community.
Location: Online OR In-Person at Tempe Public Library
**Speaker will be online only.**
Cost: $45 for AZEFT members | $55 for non-members
** 20% discount offered to group practices of 5 or more who each register for the event; email us for the discount code
Certificate of Attendance: 3 hours
Counts for AzBBHE's ethics CEUs licensure renewal.
Workshop Description:
Utilizing Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with clients presents distinctive challenges, whether working with couples, individuals, or families. In our session, we will explore specific ethical challenges that may arise and discuss effective strategies for navigating these situations using an Ethical Decision-Making Framework. Whether you attended the AZEFT Ethics training last year or are new to employing Ethical Decision Making, this will provide an opportunity for both review and the enhancement of decision-making skills. Additionally, participants will engage with the framework through the analysis of new case studies.
A particularly noteworthy challenge in the application of EFT is determining when and how to refer a client out. While Emotionally Focused Therapy serves as a profound modality forming the foundation of our work with clients, ethical considerations arise when it appears not to be the most suitable approach. This session will delve into the ethical dilemma of identifying the point at which EFT may not align with a client's needs. Participants will learn strategies for exploring personal barriers within themselves and their clients regarding EFT, all while recognizing the possibility that EFT may not universally suit every client. This interactive training aims to empower participants to grant themselves the permission to understand both their own and the model's limitations, all while considering the ethical implications involved.
Approach this session with an openness to embrace your humanity and that of your clients as we collectively engage in this interactive ethics training experience!
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will develop an ethical decision-making framework informed by a systemic lens utilizing various scenarios when practicing EFT.
2. Participants will be able to list and describe the ethical principles for client care, including how those principles apply to our own personal and professional limits and not assuming we will be able to help every type of client with EFT.
3. Participants will develop an ethical transition plan to successfully close out a client when best for client care.
Bonnie Lewis, LMFT, is a Certified EFT Therapist and EFT Supervisor-In-Training. Practicing since 2014, one of Bonnie’s passions is teaching and mentorship. As an approved Supervisor with the AZBBHE and Clinical Director at Therapy with Heart, she enjoys providing supervision to practicing professionals in their journey towards obtaining their license. Bonnie has worked as a teacher’s assistant and is currently an adjunct professor and group supervisor at Fuller Theological Seminary for the Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Program. She facilitates couples workshops like Hold Me Tight and Created for Connection to help couples remove stumbling blocks to vulnerability to then be able to go deeper in their connection, resulting in their relationship being a source of healing. She was the Director of Training for AZEFT Board and is actively involved in the EFT Community. When not working, Bonnie cherishes the time with her husband and two daughters. She values her family, time outdoors, reading, traveling, being active, and connecting with her community.
Mindful Tango: EFT Approaches to ADHD Neurodiversity
with Elizabeth Gillespie, LMFT
Date: Friday, September 27, 2024 | Time: 9am-12 pm AZ time (MST)
Location: Online
Cost: $35 for AZEFT members | $50 for non-members
** 20% discount offered to group practices of 5 or more who each register for the event; email us for the discount code
Certificate of Attendance: 3 hours
**Counts towards diversity CEUS for AzBBHE.**
Workshop Description:
As our understanding of ADHD has grown in the last ten to twenty years, we are seeing more clients with a diagnosis of ADHD seeking support with their partners. Given the significant impact of ADHD on an individual’s life and their relationships, we as EFT therapists have the unique opportunity to offer an experience of acceptance, empathy, and an organized, connected presence that is especially needed for clients with a diagnosis of ADHD.
Learning Objectives:
Participates will be able to...
Elizabeth Gillespie, LMFT, is a Certified EFT couple and family therapist, and the owner of a private practice in Colorado that among other things, provides neuro-affirming support to neurodivergent clients and their families. Married with three children, she has experience with ADHD on both sides of the therapy room, and is passionate about increasing the EFT community’s understanding and recognition of ADHD in the therapy room.
Location: Online
Cost: $35 for AZEFT members | $50 for non-members
** 20% discount offered to group practices of 5 or more who each register for the event; email us for the discount code
Certificate of Attendance: 3 hours
**Counts towards diversity CEUS for AzBBHE.**
Workshop Description:
As our understanding of ADHD has grown in the last ten to twenty years, we are seeing more clients with a diagnosis of ADHD seeking support with their partners. Given the significant impact of ADHD on an individual’s life and their relationships, we as EFT therapists have the unique opportunity to offer an experience of acceptance, empathy, and an organized, connected presence that is especially needed for clients with a diagnosis of ADHD.
Learning Objectives:
Participates will be able to...
- List some identifying characteristics of ADHD and how they might present in your couple’s work.
- Describe ways EFT work is helpful for neurodivergent clients, and ways that the neurodivergent brain may need support in experiential, emotion focused work of EFT.
- Explain how to remain neuro-affirming while also supporting dialogue between partners and families about the impact of the diagnosis on the system.
Elizabeth Gillespie, LMFT, is a Certified EFT couple and family therapist, and the owner of a private practice in Colorado that among other things, provides neuro-affirming support to neurodivergent clients and their families. Married with three children, she has experience with ADHD on both sides of the therapy room, and is passionate about increasing the EFT community’s understanding and recognition of ADHD in the therapy room.
Turning Up the Heat: Sexual Intimacy and EFT
with Valerie Southwick, LPC
Date: December 6, 2024 | Time: 10am-1 pm AZ time (MST)
Location: In-Person, Tempe Public Library
Cost: $45 for AZEFT members | $55 for non-members
** 20% discount offered to group practices of 5 or more who each register for the event; email us for the discount code
Certificate of Attendance: 3 hours
Workshop Description:
Explore the transformative realm of Sex and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in this engaging workshop designed for Marriage and Family Therapists. Delve into the intersection of intimacy and emotions, gaining valuable insights into how to navigate complex dynamics within couples. Through interactive discussions , participants will develop a nuanced understanding of the interplay between emotional bonds and sexual connection, equipping them with practical tools to address issues ranging from communication barriers to intimacy challenges. This workshop promises to enhance therapeutic skills, empowering therapists to foster deeper connections and promote the holistic well-being of the couples they serve.
Learning Objectives:
Objective 1: Enhance Therapist Self-Awareness
Develop an increased self-awareness, enabling participants to recognize and manage personal biases, values, and reactions that may impact their ability to address sensitive issues related to sex and intimacy in therapy.
Objective 2: Strengthen Assessment Skills in the Context of Sex and Emotionally Focused Therapy
Equip participants with assessment techniques tailored to the unique challenges of couples' sexuality and emotional dynamics. Participants will learn to identify underlying issues affecting intimacy and develop a comprehensive understanding of how to assess both individual and relational factors influencing a couple's sexual well-being.
Objective 3: Master Key Interventions in Sex and Emotionally Focused Therapy
Acquire a set of interventions specific to Sex and Emotionally Focused Therapy, enabling therapists to guide couples through the exploration of emotional and sexual connection. Participants will practice and integrate interventions related to sensate focus, engagement and response models, and trauma healing.
Valerie Alston-Southwick, LPC, specializes in repairing relationships using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). She also employs EMDR for trauma recovery and has received specialized training from the American Association of Sex Addiction Therapy (AASAT), focusing on sex addiction, pornography issues, and affair recovery.
Location: In-Person, Tempe Public Library
Cost: $45 for AZEFT members | $55 for non-members
** 20% discount offered to group practices of 5 or more who each register for the event; email us for the discount code
Certificate of Attendance: 3 hours
Workshop Description:
Explore the transformative realm of Sex and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in this engaging workshop designed for Marriage and Family Therapists. Delve into the intersection of intimacy and emotions, gaining valuable insights into how to navigate complex dynamics within couples. Through interactive discussions , participants will develop a nuanced understanding of the interplay between emotional bonds and sexual connection, equipping them with practical tools to address issues ranging from communication barriers to intimacy challenges. This workshop promises to enhance therapeutic skills, empowering therapists to foster deeper connections and promote the holistic well-being of the couples they serve.
Learning Objectives:
Objective 1: Enhance Therapist Self-Awareness
Develop an increased self-awareness, enabling participants to recognize and manage personal biases, values, and reactions that may impact their ability to address sensitive issues related to sex and intimacy in therapy.
Objective 2: Strengthen Assessment Skills in the Context of Sex and Emotionally Focused Therapy
Equip participants with assessment techniques tailored to the unique challenges of couples' sexuality and emotional dynamics. Participants will learn to identify underlying issues affecting intimacy and develop a comprehensive understanding of how to assess both individual and relational factors influencing a couple's sexual well-being.
Objective 3: Master Key Interventions in Sex and Emotionally Focused Therapy
Acquire a set of interventions specific to Sex and Emotionally Focused Therapy, enabling therapists to guide couples through the exploration of emotional and sexual connection. Participants will practice and integrate interventions related to sensate focus, engagement and response models, and trauma healing.
Valerie Alston-Southwick, LPC, specializes in repairing relationships using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). She also employs EMDR for trauma recovery and has received specialized training from the American Association of Sex Addiction Therapy (AASAT), focusing on sex addiction, pornography issues, and affair recovery.
PRESENTATION RECORDING INFORMATION:
AZEFT is unable to guarantee if this presentation will be recorded, since that decision is at the discretion of the speaker at the time of the presentation. If any portion of this presentation is recorded, it will only be made available to members of our AZEFT community through our members-only video library. Please note, recordings do not include video clips from therapy sessions or breakout group activities, and viewers of the recording do not receive a certificate of attendance.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY:
In the event that you have paid for an upcoming event but are not able to attend, you may request a refund up to 30 days prior to the event. Refund requests must be received in writing via email to: azeftcommunity@gmail.com. Requests received at least 30 days prior to the start of the event will receive a full refund of the registration minus any Eventbrite administrative fees. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received less than 30 days prior to the start of the event.
AZEFT is unable to guarantee if this presentation will be recorded, since that decision is at the discretion of the speaker at the time of the presentation. If any portion of this presentation is recorded, it will only be made available to members of our AZEFT community through our members-only video library. Please note, recordings do not include video clips from therapy sessions or breakout group activities, and viewers of the recording do not receive a certificate of attendance.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY:
In the event that you have paid for an upcoming event but are not able to attend, you may request a refund up to 30 days prior to the event. Refund requests must be received in writing via email to: azeftcommunity@gmail.com. Requests received at least 30 days prior to the start of the event will receive a full refund of the registration minus any Eventbrite administrative fees. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received less than 30 days prior to the start of the event.